Without David, hydros will need new star

Up-and-comer Jimmy Shane could be 'next' after threatening to crash David's going-away party

Jimmy Shane, third from right, who races the Graham Trucking boat, exits the boat after competing in the H1 Unlimited qualifying round during the San Diego Bayfair at Mission Bay in San Diego on Friday. Greg Hopp, who races the Centurion Racing boat, is at left.
Hayne Palmour IV

Jimmy Shane, third from right, who races the Graham Trucking boat, exits the boat after competing in the H1 Unlimited qualifying round during the San Diego Bayfair at Mission Bay in San Diego on Friday. Greg Hopp, who races the Centurion Racing boat, is at left.

Jimmy Shane knows Steve David’s retirement will leave quite a void in the H1 Unlimited circuit. The 27-year-old Graham Trucking driver just prefers to look at the departure of powerboat racing’s latest icon in a different light:

A big door is opening for someone on the hydroplane series.

“I think it depends on which way you look at it,” Shane said. “It’s tough losing an idol in the sport. At the same time, it’s an opportunity for a young up-and-comer to have a really good start to an Unlimited career. That’s some of the best equipment out there.”

True, whoever takes David’s seat in the Oh Boy! Oberto next year – that decision is likely more than eight months away, David said – will have the expertise and financial backing of a team that’s won four of the last five boat titles. That driver, of course, likely won’t have the momentum and water time that Shane will carry into the 2014 season after threatening to crash David’s retirement party at this weekend’s San Diego Bayfair.

Shane won his heat Saturday, outpacing both Tommy Thompson and Greg Hopp to complete three laps on the Bill Muncey Memorial Course in 190.313 seconds. With his win, Shane matched the 400 points that David also earned in winning his heat in 180.766 to maintain his hairline, 63-point lead over Shane with a 1,200 points on the line during three heats Sunday on Mission Bay.

“Tomorrow is going to be a day for the ages for the sport,” said Shane, who is coming off a 1,700-point showing over Labor Day weekend in Idaho that thrust him to within striking distance of David. “There’s a lot on the line. It’s still extremely close in the points race. Anything can happen. It’s going to be extremely exciting.”

San Diego Bayfair

Sunday’s H1 Unlimited Schedule

Mission Bay (Bill Muncey Memorial Course)

Heat 2A – Noon

Heat 2B – 12:20 p.m.

Heat 3A – 2:10 p.m.

Heat 3B – 2:30 p.m.

Provisional – 3:45 p.m.

Final – 5:30 p.m.

Equally intriguing is who becomes the new face of this sport after David gives up his torch Sunday – that is unless Shane takes it away outright.

With Dave Villwock retiring last summer and David walking away after Sunday’s finale, the H1 Unlimited circuit will be without two men who have combined for 85 wins over more than two decades of racing the world’s fastest boats.

That’s not an easy pill to swallow for a sport hoping to recapture some of the luster its lost to other motorsports circuits over the last 50 years. A new face to rally behind will be key as H1 Unlimited looks to expand its schedule to include stops in China in the not-too-distant future.

“A lot of big shoes to fill, but I think we have a lot of young guys that are going to get their chance to aspire,” said Sam Cole, H1 Unlimited’s chairman. “What will happen is the sport will evolve from that. Someone is going to have to step it up with the charisma, the charm and the tenacity.”

Shane, at the very least, has a head start – on the water.

He’s already won three times this year – including back-to-back victories to open the season – and has deep roots in powerboat racing. His dad, Stuart Shane, won several national championships in the 145-hydro class while racing alongside David, and his mom, sister and fiancé Bianca have all logged racing time.

“It was kind of my blood driving me in this sport,” Shane said.

And it’s tactics that have Shane maneuvering his Graham Trucking hull into position to spoil David’s going away party this weekend.

“Jimmy is a very good analytical driver,” said David, who has watched Shane grow up in pit row over the years. “I think he really understands the numbers – what you need to be and where you need to be. I guess you call it situational awareness. He’s very, very good at it.”

Good and savvy enough to pick up where David leaves off?

Only time and endurance will tell.

NOTE: The Lucas Oil Series drag boats opted out of this year’s showcase at Crown Point Shores to race this weekend in Chandler, Ariz.)